Lawn-mower



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

G. E. LEWIS.

LAWNV M0WBR- No. 263,344. Patented Aug.29,1882.

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G. E. LEWIS.

LAWN. MOWER.

Patented Aug. 29, 1882.

Unire@ Srarns Param @Ferca GEORGE E. LEWlS, OF SENECA FALLS, NEV YORK.

LAWN-IVIOWER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 263,344, dated August 29, 1882.

Application filed October 15, 1881.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E.Lnw1s,a citizen of the United States ot' America, residing at Seneca Falls, in the county of Seneca and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lawn-Mowers; and l do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the saine, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or ligures of reference lnarked thereon, which form a part ot" this specilication.

This invention relates to improvements in that class ot' lawn-mowers in which the spiral cutters or knives com posing the revolving cuttersbar are journaled or supported in the forward end ot the mower-frame and adapted to be driven by a single train ot' gearing from the main drive-wheel.

rlhe object of my invention is to simplify the construction of lawn-mowers, and thus render them more eflicient in operation; and the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

ln the annexed drawings, which fully illustrate my invention, Figure l is a side elevation ot' my improved lawn-mower. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line 00 x of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a plan view. FigAc is a View of the train of gearing by means ot' which the revolving cutter-bar is driven. Fig.5 is a vertical transverse sectionthrough the main drivewheel and large gear, with a longitudinal section through the axle and an oil-reservoir. Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views, showing clutch mechanism and manner of oiling axle; and Fig. 8 represents a modification in the form of the oil-reservoir.

Like letters indicate like views.

The frame of the machine consists of side pieces or plates, AA', which are suitably connected, the plateAbeing flanged and arranged to form an inclosin g box for the gearing that drives the revolving knives or cutter-bar. The supporting-wheels B B' are secured to the axle G, and are provided with hubs, through which are passed the screws b b', by which they are parts in the several (No model.)

preferably attached to said axle. A longitudinal slot, c2, is formed in one end ofthe axle, near the main drive-wheelB,and this slot receives the pawl D and recessed block D', which are separated by a spring, E, the whole forming a clutch mechanism adapted to cause the pawl or bar D to engage, by the pressure of the spring E, with a ratchet, f, which is attached to and forms the hub of the main drivegear F. rlhis gear F is iournaled loosely on the end ot' the axle C, and is inelosed in the hanged box or case A, which is provided on its inner side willi a sectional cover, ,secured by screws or bolts, said cover thus serving to exclude dust and dirt from the box, and being arranged so as to be capable of ready removal when required. Within the case A, and arranged in front ot' the main gear F, so as to mesh therewith, is a gear or pinion, G, which is loosely journaled on a stud, c, and engages with a gear, H, on one of the journals t' ofthe revolving cutter bar or frame I. The revolving cutter bar or frame consists ot' the radial arms I, which are journaled on each side in the forward ends ot the plates A A', and are connected by the spiral wings J, each of which carries a knife or cutter, K, secured thereto in any suitable manner. It will be seen thatas the frame of the mower is drawn or pushed forward the forward revolution of the driving or supporting wheels Will cause the axle C to revolve likewise. The pawl D, attached to the axle, being held by the pressure of the spring E against the teeth of the ratchet f on the main gear F, will cause the latter to revolve in a forward direction, and, by reason of its engagement with the loose pinion G, impart a reverse movement to the gear H, which thus revolves the cutter-frame I in a forward and downward direction. The recessed block D', which is inserted in the slotted axle G, serves as a bearing for one end of the spring E, the opposite end of which is seated in the recess formed in the pawl D, the spring serving to hold the pawl in contact with the ratchet-hub f. rJhe pawlD is oppositely beveled at its upper and lower ends, respectively, as shown .at d, so that when the mower is drawn back these bevels d will slip readily over the teeth ofthe ratchet j' without engaging therewith, and thus, as the train of IOO gearing remains stationary, the cutter-frame I will not be revolved during the backward movement ot' the mower.

rlhe drive-wheel B is provided on its outer side with an enlarged hollow hub or cavity, b2, which incloses the clutch mechanism and prevents it from becoming clogged or injured by contact with dust, dirt, or cut grass.

n the outer sides of the plates A A are sleeves or collars c c, which receive the stems ofthe oil-reservoirs P, said reservoirs or cups being held in place by means ot` the set-screws c c', so as to be readily detached when desired. The detachable reservoirs P are preferably ball shaped or globular in form, but may be made vertically elongated, as shown in Fig. 8. They are provided with horizontal stems p, which may be of uniform bore throughout, or may be contracted at their outer ends, as shown at t, Fig. 8, to retard somewhat the tlow ot' oil to the axle-bearings. Each reservoir is provided at the top with an opening through which the oil is introduced, and which opening may be closed by means ot' a screw, 1J', or other suitable means. The stems l) ot' the oilcups P are beveled or provided with Haring mouths u, in which tit the conical ends c3 ot' the axle C. It will be seen that as the mechanism is operated a ready means is thus provided for its scll'lub1ication without any trouble to the operator except to see that the oil-cups P are properly supplied.

.Near the forward ends of the plates or side pieces, A A', on each side, are slotted or perforated lugs d', by means oi' which the stationary or horizontal cutter-bar L is attached to the traine. This cutter-bar carries a suitable knife or cutter, M, and is provided at each end, which is bent-twice atright angles, with threaded uprights or studs l, which pass through the slotted lugs d'. and are secured therein by means ot' nuts l l', arranged on the threaded stud above and below the lug d. By this construction the cutter-bar L may be raised or lowered or inclined in any necessary positionby simply loosening the nuts l and adjusting the studs l as required.

A roller, N, is arranged in a convenient position beneath the cutter-barL, and is provided with elbow-bearings O, the vertical arms of which are slotted for the passage of set-screws o o by means of which said bearings are adjustably attached to the mower-frame.

The bearings or journals ot' the revolving cutter-frame I are provided with self-lubricating cups P, similar to those above described, and which are also secured in the same manner by means of collars e and screws c.

The upper forward portions of the side pieces, A A', are connected by a brace or cross-bar, Q, the threaded ends otl which are secured in said side pieces by means of nuts q q.

The mower is provided with a handle, R, which is connected with the frame A A by divergiug.,r arms S S, which are securely bolted at one end to the handle, forming a socket therefor. and are pivoted at their opposite ends to the side pieces ot' the mower-frame. At the rear ends ofthe side pieces, A A', are slots gg. through which pass boltss s, having nuts s', by which the arms S are also connected with the frame, so as to render the handle It capable oi' adjustment to any desired angle as may be found necessary.

Having thus described my invention, whatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a lawn-mower, the combination, with the side pieces, A A', having collars c e, axle C, having conical ends, and cutter-frame I, of the detachable oil-cups P, provided with hori- Zontal stems p, having flaring mouths u, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a lawn-mower, thc combination, with the side pieces, A A', slotted axle (l, and gear F, having ratchettoothcd hubf, of the pawl D and recessed block 1)', arranged in the slot c2 of the axle, and thc spiral spring E, placed between the recessed block and pawl, said pawl being oppositely beveled, as at d d, and adapted to engage with the adjoining ratchcthub, substantially as and for the purpose dcscribed.

In testimony whereofI affix my signature in presence ot' two witnesses.

GEORGE E. LEWIS.

Titnessesz SAML. T. REYNOLDS, Guo. B. LEwIs. 

